New Marine Corps uniform order spurs dialogue

The commandant of the Marine Corps announced Tuesday that Marines would be allowed to roll up their sleeves again when wearing desert utilities. In light of this recent change, many newer Marines will need to learn how to roll sleeves; here a a PFC models his rolled sleeves at the Marine Corps Exchange aboard Camp Lejeune Wednesday afternoon.

Maria Sestito / The Daily News

By THOMAS BRENNAN Daily News Staff

Published: Thursday, February 27, 2014 at 10:00 AM.

As Marines prepare to adhere to new uniform regulations, some say there are bigger issues that must be addressed.

In reaction to an announcement made by Marine Gen. James Amos, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Camp Lejeune Marines on Wednesday expressed elation, ambivalence and a sense of concern when discussing the reversal of an order preventing them from rolling the sleeves of their desert utilities — a uniform regulation approved by Amos in 2011.

Within the Marine Administrative Message published Tuesday by Headquarters Marine Corps, Amos states the transition will take effect on March 9 when the Corps transitions to summer uniforms. By rolling sleeves, Amos said in his letter to Marines, that doing so “clearly and visually sets us apart.”

“I don’t think we ever should have stopped rolling sleeves because it took away from tradition,” said Marine Sgt. Thomas Labar, a field mess Marine with 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines. “I absolutely feel as though rolled sleeves were an iconic look for Marines. It was just one of the things that set us apart from the other branches. It made us stand out.”

However, Labar, 25, of Gilbertsville Mount Upton, N.Y., said he feels as though professional military education should be addressed rather than uniform regulations. Currently, according to Labar, the Corporal’s Course is available online and the Sergeant’s Course will soon follow suit — something that he thinks will render Marines a disservice by not allow them to interact, learn from and be mentored by instructors at those schools.

Despite that concern , Labar did admit that he is looking forward to rolling his sleeves and taking even more pride in the uniform he wears and trying to look more “squared away” than the Marine to his right and left.

Some Marines like Lance Cpl. Andrew West, 21, of Pawnee, Ill. have never rolled sleeves because they joined the Corps after the reversal took place.

West said he’d like to see the Corps focus more on the quality of gear provided rather than changing uniform regulations.

“I like my job and I like going into work every day, but I think we need to focus on the little stuff like gear and equipment issues,” said West, a Marine with 2nd Medical Battalion. “As an operator in motor transport, I feel like we need better tools and equipment. That’s something that needs to be addressed.”

Once news broke of the latest change West was amazed at how excited Marines got about rolling their sleeves, he said. Within his shop, he added that there are many Marines who rolled sleeves previously in their careers and that they are excited about the new order.

“Since I’ve been in the Marine Corps I have never been taught how to roll sleeves so I don’t know where to begin,” West said. “From what I hear it’s a little bit of a process to make them look good and look professional but I’m ready. We strive every day to look professional regardless of whether we are sleeves up or sleeves down so this shouldn’t be a problem.”

The move gives Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Potter, 31, of Hubert, the opportunity to mentor his Marines about the new uniform regulation and teach them the proper way to roll their sleeves — something he said he is “very excited” about.

“Teaching Marines how to roll sleeves isn’t going to be that big of a deal because it’s only going to take a few minutes to cover,” said Potter, an instructor at Marine Combat Training Battalion aboard Camp Geiger. “It’s all about mentoring your Marines and taking the time to educate them on changes in the Marine Corps. It’s what we should be doing as staff non-commissioned officers every day.”

When sleeves were rolled down in 2011, Potter understood the mentality behind the change, he said, and that it fed into the “train how you fight” mantra within the Corps. This mantra was supported by the commandant’s decision in 2011 when he ordered sleeves be rolled down to coincide with operational requirements during Marines’ deployments to places such as Iraq and Afghanistan. While Potter is excited about the change, he’d like to see a push more toward educating Marines in the basics rather than changing uniform regulations.

“We’re going to take pride in our uniforms whether sleeves are up or down ... we need to get back to brilliance in the basics.”

As Marines prepare to adhere to new uniform regulations, some say there are bigger issues that must be addressed.

In reaction to an announcement made by Marine Gen. James Amos, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Camp Lejeune Marines on Wednesday expressed elation, ambivalence and a sense of concern when discussing the reversal of an order preventing them from rolling the sleeves of their desert utilities — a uniform regulation approved by Amos in 2011.

Within the Marine Administrative Message published Tuesday by Headquarters Marine Corps, Amos states the transition will take effect on March 9 when the Corps transitions to summer uniforms. By rolling sleeves, Amos said in his letter to Marines, that doing so “clearly and visually sets us apart.”

“I don’t think we ever should have stopped rolling sleeves because it took away from tradition,” said Marine Sgt. Thomas Labar, a field mess Marine with 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines. “I absolutely feel as though rolled sleeves were an iconic look for Marines. It was just one of the things that set us apart from the other branches. It made us stand out.”

However, Labar, 25, of Gilbertsville Mount Upton, N.Y., said he feels as though professional military education should be addressed rather than uniform regulations. Currently, according to Labar, the Corporal’s Course is available online and the Sergeant’s Course will soon follow suit — something that he thinks will render Marines a disservice by not allow them to interact, learn from and be mentored by instructors at those schools.

Despite that concern , Labar did admit that he is looking forward to rolling his sleeves and taking even more pride in the uniform he wears and trying to look more “squared away” than the Marine to his right and left.

Some Marines like Lance Cpl. Andrew West, 21, of Pawnee, Ill. have never rolled sleeves because they joined the Corps after the reversal took place.

West said he’d like to see the Corps focus more on the quality of gear provided rather than changing uniform regulations.

“I like my job and I like going into work every day, but I think we need to focus on the little stuff like gear and equipment issues,” said West, a Marine with 2nd Medical Battalion. “As an operator in motor transport, I feel like we need better tools and equipment. That’s something that needs to be addressed.”

Once news broke of the latest change West was amazed at how excited Marines got about rolling their sleeves, he said. Within his shop, he added that there are many Marines who rolled sleeves previously in their careers and that they are excited about the new order.

“Since I’ve been in the Marine Corps I have never been taught how to roll sleeves so I don’t know where to begin,” West said. “From what I hear it’s a little bit of a process to make them look good and look professional but I’m ready. We strive every day to look professional regardless of whether we are sleeves up or sleeves down so this shouldn’t be a problem.”

The move gives Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Potter, 31, of Hubert, the opportunity to mentor his Marines about the new uniform regulation and teach them the proper way to roll their sleeves — something he said he is “very excited” about.

“Teaching Marines how to roll sleeves isn’t going to be that big of a deal because it’s only going to take a few minutes to cover,” said Potter, an instructor at Marine Combat Training Battalion aboard Camp Geiger. “It’s all about mentoring your Marines and taking the time to educate them on changes in the Marine Corps. It’s what we should be doing as staff non-commissioned officers every day.”

When sleeves were rolled down in 2011, Potter understood the mentality behind the change, he said, and that it fed into the “train how you fight” mantra within the Corps. This mantra was supported by the commandant’s decision in 2011 when he ordered sleeves be rolled down to coincide with operational requirements during Marines’ deployments to places such as Iraq and Afghanistan. While Potter is excited about the change, he’d like to see a push more toward educating Marines in the basics rather than changing uniform regulations.

“We’re going to take pride in our uniforms whether sleeves are up or down ... we need to get back to brilliance in the basics.”